CNN denies Clay Travis was invited back after sexist comments

UPDATE: After claiming to have a voicemail from CNN inviting him back on the network, Clay Travis played a message from a Los Angeles CNN staffer on his Outkick the Coverage show on Saturday. The voicemail pertains to Travis’ previous appearance with Carol Costello on HLN — not Brooke Baldwin. This aligns with CNN’s initial statement on the matter, which stated he was “tentatively scheduled” to appear on its sister network for an interview that is now canceled.

In the clip posted to social media, Travis did not specify whether the message was delivered before or after his interview with Baldwin. However, he later wrote in an email to EW that the voicemail came “20-30 minutes” after his CNN appearance. A source stated that the call was made before the booker became aware of his appearance on Baldwin’s show.

According to a statement from the network, “Clay Travis was not booked again on CNN. Prior to his appearance with Brooke Baldwin, he had been tentatively scheduled to appear Monday on HLN. That interview has been canceled.”

On Friday, Baldwin brought Travis and sportswriter Keith Reed onto her show with plans to discuss the situation with ESPN’s Jemele Hill — President Trump demanded an apology from ESPN after Hill called him “a white supremacist who has largely surrounded himself w/ other white supremacists” on Twitter. But Baldwin was stunned when Travis proclaimed, “I believe in only two things completely: the First Amendment and boobs.”

In the aftermath of the contentious interview, in which Baldwin confronted Travis about the remark, the reporter tweeted, “CNN is so offended that they already called me and asked if I could come back on Monday. Too perfect.”

CNN is so offended that they already called me and asked if I could come back on Monday. Too perfect.

Baldwin, who addressed the situation in a written response posted online, also denied Travis was invited back. “As for my guest today — despite what he’s tweeting, he won’t be coming back on my show — ever,” she wrote. “He works at Fox Sports Radio. Maybe he should learn from folks over at Fox News — being demeaning to women does have consequences.”

Travis, however, stands by his claims. “CNN’s now lying & saying they didn’t invite me back on for Monday,” he tweeted. “I’ll play voicemail for everyone on tomorrow’s @outkick show. #fakenews.”

CNN's now lying & saying they didn't invite me back on for Monday. I'll play voicemail for everyone on tomorrow's @outkick show. #fakenews

“I invite a variety people on my show with wide-ranging opinions — sometimes even my jaw hits the floor, too — but I let them speak,” Baldwin wrote. “Whether it’s left, right or center — I want to expose my viewers to other perspectives. Agree with them or not, the nation needs to listen. But this … was different.”